Do you take time away from valuable business development and strategy because you are busy correcting the writing of people who should know better? Do you spend time at home and on weekends red-lining the reports and proposals written by your subordinates? If so, you’re not alone.
Spending Too Much Time Editing Your Staff’s Work? Read More »
Andrew, a prominent attorney, recently shared his frustration with one of his partners. “He keeps forwarding emails to me with no note at the top about what I’m supposed to be looking at,” he complained. “I don’t have time to read the whole chain of emails!” Andrew gave his partner feedback. “I told him that if he wants me to read the forwarded email, he has to add a note telling me why he forwarded it.” His request was ignored. The partner continued to shoot forwarded messages to Andrew with no note, and he paid a high price: “Now when I get a forwarded email from him, I just delete it without reading it,” Andrew reported.
Three Steps to Forwarding Email Responsibly Read More »
What does it cost when we refuse to apologize for what we have done? What can we gain when we take ownership of our actions and sincerely communicate with customers? When Stuart Jenkins paid for a stateroom on a well-known cruise line, he expected a fabulous experience. However, the air conditioner in an adjoining room
Apologize and Be Forgiven Read More »
In a recent post, I suggested several ways to warm up the tone of your emails, so that you will not seem angry to your readers. A perceptive reader asked me, “What if you really are angry, disappointed, or upset? How do you express yourself when the ‘nice’ email does not get the desired response?”
Email Tone: What If You Really Are Angry? Read More »
It may seem obvious that writing in all caps is a mistake, but the following story really happened to me. I recently taught an email effectiveness course for an accounting firm in Los Angeles. It was mandatory, so everyone in the office was there. During the program, I told the participants “Don’t write your subject
Writing in ALL CAPS: What are the costs? Read More »
